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Make and install the pins Latta always uses straightgrained stock for pins to avoid splitting. Except on narrow workpieces, he prefers the look of square heads. Whether they will end up round or square, however, he makes the pins the same way. From square to round. Rip the pin stock square, the same size as the pin holes. Cut the pieces 3 in. or 4 in. longer than necessary, and chuck the pin in a drill to round the lower section, holding it against a belt or disk sander (left) as the drill spins. Take the pin to a full round near the bottom, but taper the transition to the square section. Sharpen the tip so it will grab the drawbore offset. a ⁄4-in. pin. However, I occasionally vary the size for aesthetic reasons, using slightly fatter pins on big timbers or slightly thinner ones on small doors. I generally use square heads on my pins, and turn them 45° to create a traditional diamond look. A bonus is that if they go in a little twisted, it is less obvious in the diamond orientation than if I were trying to get them perfectly square. Some woodworkers cut a square slot in the top of the hole to accommodate a square head, but I haven’t found this necessary. If you use the same or harder wood for the pins, a square head will make its own pocket, especially if you taper the transition from the round section to the square head when making the pins. Occasionally, the head gets rounded slightly, but imperfection is part of the handcrafted look. If the pieces being joined are narrow, say less than 2 in. wide, square pins can look like overkill, so I use round ones there. But there is no right or wrong here. It’s up to the individual builder to give this age-old joinery detail his or her unique spin. Pinning a door is lesson one Drawboring is a wonderful way to assemble doors and this is a good first lesson in the basic technique. The same steps apply 40 FINE woodworkIN g No glue needed. Latta uses paraffin wax on his drawbored pins (above), not glue, making them easier to drive. Don’t worry; they’ll stay put for life. Working over a dog hole on his bench, he drives in the pin (right) until he is happy with the way the head looks. Use a wrench to steer square pins as you drive them. Latta prefers to twist his square pins 45° for a diamond look.